Cystic Fibrosis – is cord blood the answer?

What is cystic fibrosis and could cord blood help those with this life-limiting illness?

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition which affects the lungs and digestive system. Both parents must be carriers of the faulty gene which causes cystic fibrosis in order for a child to be born with the condition. When both parents carry the faulty gene their children have a 25% of being born with cystic fibrosis, a 25% chance of being unaffected, and a 50% chance of being a carrier of the faulty gene.
Cystic fibrosis causes the lungs and digestive system to become clogged up with thick sticky mucus. Unfortunately there is no cure for cystic fibrosis. However, symptomatic therapies such as physiotherapy to help clear mucus from the airways and drugs to help expand the airways are beneficial. Despite these treatments, some people may ultimately need a lung transplant. [1]
While there is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis, researchers are hopeful that one day a cure could be found. Research is taking place in many areas of medicine, including stem cell research using cord blood. Professor Bob Williamson’s team at the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Medicine hope to prove that umbilical cord blood can be used to regenerate lung cells for children with cystic fibrosis.
Professor Williamson said, “Cord blood is a very exciting resource, full of different kinds of stem cells. These have already been shown to form liver, brain and skin cells, and they represent a real hope for people with cystic fibrosis now that we can add lung cells to the list. We already know that umbilical cord blood is known to be safe and effective when used to treat childhood cancers and leukaemia, and we hope that cord blood will provide cells with a potential to rebuild damaged lungs in people with cystic fibrosis.” [2]
[1] http://cells4life.com/cystic-fibrosis-and-stem-cells/
[2] http://www.cordbank.co.nz/research-developments/cord-blood-brings-new-hope-for-children-with-cystic-fibrosis/

ABOUT

Cord blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets just like regular blood but because of the special job that cord blood does, nourishing your growing baby, it is rich in stem cells and growth hormones.
Cord blood is the richest and least invasive source of stem cells from the human body. The stem cells found in your baby’s umbilical cord blood can be used to treat over 80 illnesses. Read more...

CONTACT US

If you would like further information from Cord Blood AWARE please email us - info@cordbloodaware.org
We are able to supply literature and promotional material and offer advice to help you raise the profile of cord blood banking and the benefits of not letting life-saving stem cells go to waste.